| Week at the Wheel | Peugeot 207 SW |

Inside & Out:

You know, there's no way we can pretend that we were fighting for the keys when the shiny green 207 SW test car turned up here at Car Enthusiast HQ. However, the estate version of the 207 is a tidy little car from any angle, and its general usefulness makes it surreptitiously appealing. It's never the type of car that'll have Drive-Thru workers dropping milkshakes when you rock up for a double sausage and egg muffin, but Peugeot's stylists have done a good job at neatly incorporating a very useful increase in passenger and cargo space over the 207 hatch.

So, it's inoffensively styled, which is usually a good thing, but it's the things that distinguish this from the regular hatch that we're really interested in. They are, in no particular order: a bit of height, a bit of length, a bit of weight and a lot more space. The 207 hatch isn't renowned for its rear leg space or boot capacity, but the SW adds a healthy dose of each while sitting on the same wheelbase. So while it still feels compact, it's nice and practical, with seats that fold flat easily and a usefully light tailgate for easy loading. The glass screen lifts separately too for extra shopping trip ease.

The cabin is otherwise the same as the hatch's, which means the upper level plastics are soft and pleasantly velvety, but the lower ones are stock issue French supermini hardness. It looks nice though and aside from a cramped footwell it's easy to get comfy because there's loads of steering wheel adjustment.

Engine & Transmission:

Of the four engine choices available (technically three engines in four power guises), the diesels are the ones to go for if you're going to use the SW as a proper cargo carrier. Available in 90- and 110bhp outputs, the 1.6-litre HDi diesel has a significant torque advantage over both the 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol units in either form, offering 161lb.ft and 180lb.ft respectively. The petrol engines can only muster a miniscule 102lb.ft and a scant 120lb.ft.

Of course, the usual disadvantages of having a diesel under the bonnet of a small car apply (including a heavier nose, some chattering at start-up and more noise), but the tried-and-tested Peugeot diesel, in either form, has a nice torque swell and feels far more suited to the SW's remit. That said, the 90bhp unit of our test car is markedly slower to the 62mph benchmark than the 1.6-litre petrol model (10.7 seconds against 13.3) despite its torque advantage. So, the 1.6 petrol is the one for track day enthusiasts. Or not.

Transmission wise, we're afraid it's Peugeot business as usual here, which means the five-speed manual feels like it needs an extra cog on the motorway, and it has an unpleasant 'springy' feel across the gate; its action is slack rather than slick.

Ride & Handling:

As we've already alluded to, the 207 SW feels nimbler than an estate should because of its compact footprint, which will make it an unintimidating runabout for those with greater luggage needs than most, but who don't fancy a lumbering great estate as day-to-day transport. However, the SW is far from an involving experience - in the same manner of the regular 207 - because it seems built more for comfort than speed. That setup is more suited to the SW - which, let's face it, nobody is going to buy for it's dynamic prowess - although we still think the ride could do with an extra degree of suppleness, as it's easily unsettled on potholed roads. No major complaints though, and most buyers won't care about its rubbery steering feel in the same way Lotus Elise buyers don't care about the SW's boot space.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Peugeot offers nothing if not loads of choice, both in terms of its vast model range and the variants thereof. The SW line-up is curbed slightly compared to the hatch, but there are still four engines and three trim levels (one of which is the plastic clad Outdoor version). Our test car was a Sport model, which adds 16-inch alloys, sportier front seats, a leather wrapped wheel and gearstick top, white dials and chrome door handles to the standard S spec. All cars get air conditioning, six airbags, ABS and emergency brake assist. The options list includes a panoramic roof (as did our test car), which really lifts the interior ambience, and the usual stuff like bigger wheels, Bluetooth and satnav.

Fuel economy is another reason to discount the petrol options - unless they're noticeably cheaper on the forecourt and you won't make the savings on fuel because of low mileage. Even the top whack 110 HDi engine returns 62.7mpg combined and 120g/km of CO₂ - exactly the same economy as the 90 HDi diesel. The smaller petrol unit, by comparison, manages 44.8mpg - which you won't get anyway because you'll probably be thrashing the valves off it to get your weekly shop over all kinds of mild incline.

The 207 SW is quite well priced though, with the range starting at around £13k and rising to £17k. With a decent discount - which you should expect - this should be a good value little estate.

Overall:

It's almost impossible to get excited about any supermini-based estate - our MINI Clubman long termer excepted, but there's a lot to be said for the Peugeot as a practical family runabout. We didn't try getting a washing machine into it - car makers tend to frown upon having chunks cleaved from their press cars by clumsy road testers - but we're sure we could have, and that's impressive for a small, car park-friendly car. It's predictably dour to drive, but in diesel form it ticks plenty of the boxes on the 'good ownership qualities', which is exactly what a lot of people are after.